Guild of Television Cameramen (GTC)

Founded in 1972, The Guild of Television Cameramen is a professional body whose aim is to preserve the status of television cameraman and to establish, uphold and advance standards and expertise within our industry.

At that time, the average television camera was the size of a small fridge, and weighed considerably more. Members worked almost exclusively on multi-camera studio and OB productions; things have changed considerably but the GTC and its members have always been at the forefront in adopting new techniques and technology.

We are an independent, UK-based international organisation that cares passionately about television camera work and the people who make it their craft. Our members are cameramen and camerawomen who work professionally with video and film cameras in all areas of television, such as drama, documentaries, light entertainment, outside broadcast and corporate production.
What has become very apparent in the last few years is that so-called ‘broadcast’ television has a much broader meaning than in the past. Broadcast television, VoD, the Internet, DVDs and BlueRay, Digital Signage and mobile ‘phones all use moving pictures. The technology doesn’t really matter. What matters most are the pictures; and these have to be of the highest possible artistic and technical quality.

The GTC fosters those aims by holding regular workshops, designed to bring the latest technologies and skills to our members and others, and by publishing the highly acclaimed bi-annual magazine Zerb, plus a quarterly members’ newsletter, GTC In Focus. Both publications are designed to keep our members up to-date with the latest developments.

As a lead organisation within the television industry, the GTC is able to bring together the knowledge, skills and experience of more than 1000 members, world wide, by exchanging information and views with leaders in the broadcast television industry and with other trade bodies.

We all have a passion for television, and we want to share that passion with everyone else in the industry, be they fellow technicians, producers and directors, production companies or broadcasters. Without that shared passion, our industry will die.

We are also able to advise manufacturers about the design of new equipment, bringing the experience of our members to bear. The Guild holds an annual Awards Ceremony, celebrating the very best in television camera skills, equipment, and contribution to the art of the television
cameraman. This is currently held in October at London’s prestigious BFI, Southbank.

Our website, www.gtc.org.uk acts as a source of information about television camera work throughout the industry as well as enabling broadcasters and producers to contact our members via an online ‘search for a cameraman’ facility featuring members' CVs. We continue to strive for the very best in television camera skills, craft and creativity. With the advent of HDTV and the expansion of multi-platform production we are only too glad to share those skills throughout the industry and the world.